On Tuesday, NASCAR announced the addition of two international provisionals for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Mexico City.
Officials added language to the entry blank that expands the typical 38-car limit to a 40-car maximum for The Chilango 150 (June 14, 4:30 p.m. ET, The CW, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Autodromo Hernandez Rodriguez. Per the update: The race may include up to two additional entries for a maximum starting field of 40 based on qualifying results. The starting position eligibility of such additional entrants shall be in accordance with Section 7.9 of the NASCAR Rule Book.
MORE: Xfinity Series schedule
As provisionals will be determined based on qualifying, the teams which qualify 39th or 40th will not be eligible for prize money regardless of finishing position, nor will the driver or team receive any points or playoff benefits for competing in the event.
Mike Forde, NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications, said the sanctioning body currently expects 39 teams to trek to Mexico City and compete in the series’ first race there since 2008. With the increased effort necessary to get across the border without issue, NASCAR Xfinity Series managing director Eric Peterson sought an exemption to allow teams willing to make the effort to start the event even if they would otherwise have failed to qualify, resulting in the addition of these provisionals.
The restrictions on prize money and points for those who qualify outside the top 38 are similar in nature to those for the Open Exempt Provisional, which was introduced in the offseason. Helio Castroneves and Trackhouse Racing utilized the OEP for the Daytona 500 when its No. 91 Chevrolet failed to qualify otherwise, guaranteeing their spot in the field as a unique 41st entry but not receiving any points or prize money.
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